STATEMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO ON THE OCCASION OF THE STATE FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. HUGH DESMOND HOYTE, SC, MP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF GUYANA

Today, we will lay to rest a member of our family – the Guyanese family. Death descended as a pall of gloom on the nation, in the midst of a most joyous festival. As we pay tribute to a former Executive President of Guyana, let us pause and ponder his contribution to this nation. It is also a time to muse on the value of life and to contemplate the measure of a man. For “good men must die, but death cannot kill their names.”
Former President Hoyte and I sat on opposite sides of the political spectrum; yet, in numerous ways and on many occasions, we belonged to the same side. Our strategies may have differed and our perspectives varied, but none dare challenge his patriotism, doubt his resolve, or contest his commitment to serving his country. He was also a fervent Caribbean integrationist: a Regional stalwart who has successfully run his course and made his mark.
In recent times, the cause of Guyana and our common obligation brought us together with regularity. In that process, I have come to know and appreciate the informal side of Mr. Hoyte.
Away from the glare of the media and without technocrats and advisers, we held long hours of intense discussions and together we drafted documents reflecting positions agreed on. His personal grace, delightful banter and rich anecdotes transformed our waiting, to have these documents prepared, into pleasant human encounters.
These engagements were a new and welcome development in our country, and I am persuaded that he undertook them because of his interest in the progress of our nation. Today, I have a growing appreciation of the significance of those encounters. We were not meeting merely as two individuals with political mandates but as countrymen who realized and accepted the enormous responsibility for the future of our people and country.
Let us as a nation, acknowledge the courage of Mr. Hoyte. He was unafraid to change course and abandon traditional means and approaches to the issues of the day.
Let us bemoan a political culture that forbids engagements across Party lines; and condemns persons for co-operation outside of the confines of party traditions.
We must discard the old and build a political culture that admits competition without spawning enmity; one that allows robust debate without degeneration into hostility; and a political culture that permits the display of magnanimity and grace that must not be confused for weakness nor misconstrued as capitulation. Old and decrepit is a political culture that forbids praise in the lifetime of a fellow man but brings flowers at his death.
As President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte was seized with the delightfully, arduous and demanding task of nation building: Let us laud him for the sacrifices endured for Guyana.

Mrs. Joyce Hoyte, I want you to know that I empathised fully with you when we spoke of how the demands of the nation constantly preceded the needs of the family and the consideration of country took precedence over the concerns of home. I know, of those personal sacrifices that outweigh the apparent glamour of the Presidency. Only the immense satisfaction of serving ones people and labouring for ones country are adequate compensation.
Today, previous speakers have reflected in details on the achievements and life’s work of Mr. Hoyte. I shall not add to or repeat these, in the confidence that in due time his contributions would be enshrined in the annals of the modern history of our country.
Bereaved fellow Guyanese, we shall miss the stately figure of Hugh Desmond Hoyte bestriding our political landscape. We shall be without his candid and forceful contributions to the dialogue of national development. The hallowed Chambers of this National Assembly, where his nimble wit and steady mind elevated the debates for some three decades, will be without his rich cadence.
Family members and friends will miss his companionship and wise counsel. The political party, that allowed him the opportunity to serve his country in the highest office will have his principles but will be without his personal leadership.
In this hour of grief, I want the new leadership of the Party of Mr. Hoyte to know that they will find me ready for discourse and willing to collaborate in the interest of our people. Love for our beloved country requires no less.
Today, let us reflect upon the legacy Hugh Desmond Hoyte has left us. He has played his part to the end, in the tireless work for the nation. In his honour and memory, let us play our part.